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Snoring is a common nighttime sound that results when the tissues in the upper airway vibrate as air moves past them during sleep. Most people will snore occasionally, but for some it becomes a nightly disruption that affects both the sleeper and anyone sharing the bedroom. Understanding the mechanics of snoring and the range of treatment options can help patients find a practical, noninvasive way to improve sleep quality.
While snoring itself is often benign, it can sometimes signal a more serious breathing disorder that requires further evaluation. Dental sleep medicine has advanced in recent years, and many patients now find relief with custom oral appliances designed to open the airway and reduce tissue vibration. These devices offer an alternative to other interventions and are particularly well suited for people whose symptoms do not require continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
At New Day Dentistry, we approach snoring with a focus on careful assessment and personalized care. Our goal is to help patients identify the underlying contributors to snoring and to recommend practical solutions — including oral appliances — when appropriate. Below are several detailed sections explaining causes, evaluation, how appliances work, and what to expect from treatment.
Snoring most often stems from restricted airflow through the nose and throat. When air cannot move freely, soft tissues like the soft palate, uvula, and the back of the tongue can vibrate and produce sound. The exact pattern of snoring varies: for some people it’s a nasal problem, for others it’s a collapse of tissues in the throat, and many people have a combination of factors.
Several physical and lifestyle elements increase the likelihood of snoring. Anatomical traits — such as a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, a long soft palate, or a naturally narrow airway — can predispose a person to louder or more frequent snoring. Muscle tone in the throat also matters; reduced muscle activity during sleep makes airway collapse more likely.
Habitual contributors include alcohol consumption before bedtime, certain medications that relax muscles, and poor sleep habits like chronic sleep deprivation. Sleeping on the back allows gravity to pull the tongue and soft tissues toward the airway, which often worsens snoring. Addressing these contributors is an important first step in any treatment plan.
Most snoring is harmless, but there are clear signs that suggest a medical evaluation is needed. Loud, persistent snoring accompanied by gasping, choking, or witnessed pauses in breathing may indicate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition associated with drops in blood oxygen and fragmented sleep. OSA is linked to daytime sleepiness, impaired concentration, and long-term health risks if left untreated.
Patients who report excessive daytime fatigue, morning headaches, or cognitive slowing should be advised to seek a sleep assessment from a qualified clinician. A formal sleep study can determine whether snoring is isolated or part of sleep-disordered breathing. Dental practitioners work collaboratively with sleep physicians to ensure safe, effective care when snoring is part of a broader medical concern.
For patients whose evaluation shows snoring without clinically significant sleep apnea, conservative treatments — such as positional therapy, nasal therapies, or an oral appliance — can be effective. The decision to pursue an oral appliance depends on the clinical findings, the patient’s preferences, and any concurrent health considerations.
Oral appliances for snoring are small, custom-made devices that patients wear during sleep. They resemble a combination of a sports mouthguard and an orthodontic retainer. The fundamental mechanism is simple: by slightly repositioning the lower jaw (mandible) and stabilizing the tongue, the device increases the space behind the tongue and soft palate, which improves airflow and reduces tissue vibration.
There are different appliance designs, but most share the goals of maintaining an open airway, improving breathing stability, and providing a removable, noninvasive option. Because an oral appliance works directly at the site of obstruction and does not require electricity or tubing, many patients find it easier to tolerate than some other therapies.
Effectiveness varies by individual. Oral appliances typically provide substantial symptom reduction for primary snorers and for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea who are appropriate candidates. Regular follow-up and proper fitting are essential to achieve the best results and minimize side effects such as jaw discomfort or changes in bite.
Effective use of an oral appliance begins with a careful clinical evaluation. The process usually starts with a detailed medical and sleep history, an examination of the airway and oral structures, and review of any sleep study results if available. This information helps determine whether an appliance is an appropriate option or if further medical management is needed first.
Once an oral appliance is selected, impressions or digital scans of the teeth are taken to create a custom-fit device. A laboratory then fabricates the appliance to the clinician’s specifications. The initial fitting appointment focuses on comfort, retention, and setting the jaw position to balance symptom relief with long-term dental stability.
Follow-up care is an important part of success. Patients typically return for adjustments within a few weeks of starting treatment and then at regular intervals to monitor effectiveness and any dental changes. Periodic reassessment ensures the appliance continues to address symptoms while preserving oral health.
Oral appliances are often most effective when combined with targeted lifestyle and sleep-habit adjustments. Positional therapy — encouraging side-sleeping rather than lying on the back — can reduce snoring for many people. Addressing nasal congestion, avoiding alcohol near bedtime, and improving sleep regularity are practical measures that enhance appliance performance.
Proper maintenance of the appliance helps preserve its function and hygiene. Most devices should be cleaned daily with a soft brush and mild soap or a manufacturer-recommended cleaner, rinsed thoroughly, and stored in a ventilated case. Patients should avoid hot water or abrasive cleaners that can distort the device.
Long-term monitoring is also important because dental appliances can sometimes cause minor jaw soreness or tooth movement. Routine dental exams allow the clinical team to catch and manage any changes early, ensuring the treatment remains safe and effective over time.
In summary, snoring is a multi-factorial condition that ranges from an occasional nuisance to a symptom of sleep-disordered breathing. Custom oral appliances offer a proven, noninvasive option for many patients, particularly when paired with a thorough evaluation and appropriate lifestyle changes. If you would like to learn more about how an oral appliance might help you or a family member, contact New Day Dentistry for additional information and guidance from our dental team.
Snoring occurs when airflow through the upper airway causes soft tissues to vibrate during sleep. Anatomical features such as a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils, a long soft palate, or a naturally narrow airway commonly contribute to louder or more frequent snoring. Reduced muscle tone in the throat during sleep also makes airway collapse more likely, and some medications can worsen this effect.
Lifestyle and sleep habits play a significant role in risk as well. Alcohol consumption close to bedtime, sedative use, and chronic sleep deprivation increase the likelihood of snoring by relaxing throat muscles. Sleeping on the back tends to worsen snoring because gravity can pull the tongue and soft tissues toward the airway, narrowing the passage.
Most occasional snoring is benign, but there are clear signs that warrant further medical assessment. Loud, persistent snoring accompanied by gasping, choking, witnessed pauses in breathing, or excessive daytime sleepiness may indicate obstructive sleep apnea, which requires prompt evaluation. Morning headaches, memory or concentration problems, and significant daytime fatigue are additional reasons to consult a clinician.
A formal sleep study is often necessary to determine whether snoring represents isolated noise or a broader sleep-disordered breathing problem. Dental professionals frequently work with sleep physicians to interpret study results and coordinate care. Early evaluation helps ensure safe, effective treatment and reduces potential long-term health risks associated with untreated sleep-disordered breathing.
Snoring appliances are custom-made oral devices worn during sleep that reposition the lower jaw and stabilize the tongue to enlarge the airway. By advancing the mandible slightly, these appliances increase the space behind the tongue and soft palate, which reduces tissue vibration and improves airflow. Most designs are removable and resemble a combination of a mouthguard and an orthodontic retainer.
The simplicity of oral appliances is one of their main advantages: they require no tubing or external power and act directly at the site of obstruction. Effectiveness varies by individual, with many primary snorers and patients with mild to moderate airway collapse experiencing substantial improvement. Regular follow-up and proper adjustment maximize benefit while minimizing potential dental or jaw-related side effects.
Good candidates typically include people whose snoring is caused primarily by upper-airway vibration and who do not have untreated, severe obstructive sleep apnea. Candidates often report snoring without frequent oxygen desaturations or severe sleep fragmentation on prior testing, or they undergo evaluation that confirms appliance-appropriate breathing patterns. People who cannot tolerate or prefer an alternative to continuous positive airway pressure therapy may also consider an oral appliance when clinically appropriate.
Candidacy assessment must account for dental and jaw health because adequate teeth for appliance retention and a healthy temporomandibular joint are important. The evaluation should include a review of medical history, airway examination, and any available sleep study data. A coordinated approach between the dental team and a sleep medicine clinician helps determine the safest and most effective treatment pathway.
The process begins with a detailed medical and sleep history followed by an oral and airway examination to identify the primary sites of obstruction. If a sleep study has not been performed, the clinician may recommend one to rule out significant sleep apnea before proceeding with an appliance. When an appliance is appropriate, impressions or digital scans of the teeth are taken to fabricate a custom-fit device that balances comfort with therapeutic jaw positioning.
Initial fitting focuses on retention, comfort, and setting the jaw advancement to reduce symptoms without causing undue bite changes. Patients typically return for a follow-up visit within a few weeks for fine-tuning and again at regular intervals to monitor effectiveness and oral health. The practice emphasizes ongoing reassessment to ensure the appliance continues to perform well and that any dental or jaw concerns are addressed early.
Oral appliances are an evidence-based option that can provide substantial symptom reduction for many primary snorers and for some people with mild to moderate obstructive events. Compared with positional therapy and nasal treatments, appliances act directly on the airway anatomy and often produce more consistent improvement in airflow. For patients with significant oxygen desaturation or severe sleep apnea, therapies such as CPAP remain the standard of care due to their greater ability to normalize breathing and oxygen levels.
Effectiveness depends on correct candidacy, precise fitting, and adherence to follow-up care. Combining an oral appliance with behavioral strategies—like avoiding alcohol before bed and encouraging side-sleeping—typically enhances outcomes. Collaborative care between dental and sleep-medicine providers helps match each patient to the most appropriate and effective treatment plan.
Short-term side effects may include mild jaw soreness, tooth sensitivity, or increased salivation as the mouth adapts to the device. These symptoms often resolve within days to weeks or can be managed with adjustments to the appliance. Less commonly, prolonged use can produce changes in bite or tooth position, which is why regular dental monitoring is important.
Proper fitting and routine follow-up minimize risks and allow clinicians to detect early signs of dental change or temporomandibular joint discomfort. If persistent or progressive symptoms occur, the device can be adjusted or discontinued and alternative therapies considered. Open communication with the dental team ensures that side effects are addressed promptly and conservatively.
Daily cleaning helps preserve hygiene and the device’s fit. Patients should rinse the appliance after each use, gently brush it with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or a manufacturer-recommended cleaner, and avoid hot water or abrasive agents that can warp the material.
When not in use, store the appliance in a ventilated case to keep it dry and protected. Regular dental checkups allow the clinician to inspect the device for wear, confirm continued fit, and address any emerging oral health concerns that might affect appliance performance.
Yes. Lifestyle modifications often complement appliance therapy and can enhance symptom reduction. Measures such as avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, maintaining a healthy weight, and improving sleep regularity reduce the tendency for airway collapse and make appliance therapy more effective.
Positional strategies, like encouraging side-sleeping rather than back-sleeping, can further decrease snoring in many individuals. Addressing nasal congestion through appropriate medical care or allergy management also supports better airflow and helps the appliance perform optimally.
Select a practice that demonstrates experience in dental sleep medicine and that works collaboratively with sleep physicians to ensure comprehensive care. Look for clinicians who perform a thorough evaluation, review sleep-study data when available, and provide custom fabrication, careful fitting, and scheduled follow-up to monitor both sleep outcomes and oral health.
New Day Dentistry and similar practices that emphasize coordinated care can guide patients through assessment, device selection, and long-term monitoring. Prioritize providers who explain risks and benefits clearly, offer objective follow-up measures, and maintain communication with your broader medical team to ensure safe, effective treatment.
